Cardinal Health Packaging Guidelines

Explore Cardinal Health Packaging Guidelines for accurate packing lists, standard pallets, precise labeling, and secure shipping practices.

Are there any requirements for packing lists when shipping cartons?

Packing lists must be included and accurately identified on the pallet by PO, with accurate counts at the item level. The packing list should be placed on the tail of the truck.

Are there any requirements for packing lists when shipping pallets?

Packing lists are required and must be included, clearly identified on the pallet by PO, with accurate counts at the item level. The packing list must be placed on the tail of the truck.

Can pallets be stacked?

Pallets should be stable, with a height of no more than 54 inches, ensuring products are 2 inches inside of the outer pallet rim on all sides. All pallets should be of standard dimensions (48 x 40 inches) and be free of chemical treatments. While no specific stacking instructions are provided, maintaining stability and these conditions is crucial.

Can purchase orders be mixed within a single pallet?

Yes, purchase orders can be mixed within a single pallet. However, any mixed product pallet must be designated as such on at least two sides. Additionally, PO numbers should be clearly identified on all four sides of the pallet. The product should be PO-specific, with like products grouped together as much as possible on a pallet and separated by slip sheets. Heavier products should be at the bottom.

What are the allowed pallet types for shipping?

Allowed pallets must be standard American wooden pallets with dimensions 48 x 40 inches. They must be free of chemicals and chemical treatments, including halogenated phenols (2,4,6-tribromophenol or 2,4,6-trichlorophenol).

What are the requirements for Bills of Lading when it comes to pallet (freight) or carton (parcel) shipments?

The document specifies that the bill of lading number should be included in the shipper information. It is placed in a building block that is 2.67 inches wide and 0.75 inches high. This information is part of the logistics label and should be encoded in GS1-128 symbology if the involved parties agree to accept an existing GS1 Application Identifier specifically for this purpose. The label contains several other pieces of information such as ship-from and ship-to addresses, PO number, and SSCC, each with specific placement and size requirements as described in the document.

What are the requirements for carton or pallet labels and their placement?

For carton labels, product identification labels are recommended on two adjacent sides, achieved via a corner wrap label or two separate but identical labels mimicking a wrap-around. Labels should be oriented with the bar codes as "picket fence" relative to the bottom of the case, placed 1.25 inches from the bottom.

For pallets, logistics/SSCC labels for pallets or unit loads up to 39 inches in height should be 1.25 to 3 inches from the top edge. For pallets taller than 39 inches, place the label so the bottom edge is 30 to 33 inches from the pallet's bottom edge. Labels should be on a minimum of two adjacent sides though four sides are preferred.

What are the requirements for inner packs and cases?

Inner packs should have their own unique identifier and are used for single (homogeneous) SKU full inner packs. For cases, only applicable for single SKU full case cartons. Necessary information includes item identification, physical details, and serialization using GS1 EPC.

What are the requirements for placing labels on cartons being shipped?

Labels on cartons should comply with GS1-128 (formerly UCC128) barcode guidelines. Product identification labels must be placed on two adjacent sides of the case, which can be done through a wraparound label or using two separate but identical labels on adjacent sides. Labels should be at least 0.75 inches from any vertical edge to prevent damage. Wraparound labels often use 2D GS1 DataMatrix justified to the outer edges. For serialized cases, the label must include the GTIN and a unique serial number. For logistics/SSCC labels, they should be affixed to the long side of the shipping case, no closer than 1.25 inches from any package edge. If the case is up to 39 inches in height, the top and right edges of the label should be within 1.25 to 3 inches of the top and right edge of the package.

What is the max pallet height allowed when shipping?

The pallet height should be no more than 54 inches.